Groundbreaking experiment uncovers pay disparities, Tesla and Uber launch in-car integration, Washington Post compares Waymo to traditional services, and DoorDash reveals courier trends. We break it all down for you.
RSG Senior Contributor Sergio Avedian Uncovers Wage Disparities in Groundbreaking Rideshare Investigation ️♂️
SOURCE – More Perfect Union
In collaboration with More Perfect Union, RSG Senior Contributor Sergio Avedian helped run a groundbreaking experiment in Los Angeles that aimed to determine if Uber and Lyft offer different rates to drivers for identical rides. The investigation uncovered that in 63% of cases, at least one driver was offered less money for the exact same ride.
- Uber typically had disparities under $1, offering the same rides to multiple drivers 46 times. Lyft showed even greater disparities between wages, with differences up to $3-$4 after bonuses.
- The experiment controlled for factors like location, promotions, and app refreshing. All seven drivers were in the same exact location.
- The video, which has received almost 2M views on YouTube, raises questions about fair labor practices and the legality of their business models.
Tesla, Uber Announce Navigation Integration
SOURCE – ELECTREK
Tesla and Uber have partnered to integrate ridesharing navigation directly into Tesla vehicles for Uber drivers. This new feature allows Uber drivers using Tesla cars to automatically send trip navigation to their vehicle’s screen after accepting a ride request. The integration aims to improve the driving experience and safety for Tesla-owning Uber drivers.
- The new integration sends pickup and dropoff information directly to the Tesla’s screen. Drivers can also enable battery-aware matching, ensuring they only receive trip requests within their vehicle’s range.
- The feature is activated through the Uber app’s account settings, using Smartcar as an API intermediary.
Tesla and Uber are also collaborating on data sharing to improve charging station deployment in New York City.
The Washington Post Compared Waymo’s Self-Driving Taxis to Uber and Lyft. Here’s What They Found.
SOURCE – The Washington Post
The Washington Post conducted a comparison between Waymo’s robotaxis and human-driven rideshare services (Uber and Lyft) in San Francisco. Human-driven rides from Uber and Lyft were generally faster, with the Post finding Waymo slower due to strictly adhering to traffic rules.
- The Post loved that Waymo offered consistent, quiet rides with passenger-controlled amenities, but cleanliness varied.
- Waymo fares were often cheaper, due to no tipping. However, Waymo robotaxis occasionally struggled with unexpected obstacles.
72% of DoorDash Couriers Spend Less Than 4 Hours Weekly on Deliveries ⏱️
DoorDash released data revealing interesting trends among its delivery couriers. 72% of DoorDash couriers spent less than four hours per week on deliveries. Demographically, 60% of their gig workers identify as women, and 55% were between 26 and 44 years old. Many use the platform to supplement their income, with 44% also holding full-time jobs as of 2022.
- DoorDash couriers reported making deliveries for the service to make ends meet, either to cover their mortgage, pay off debt, or have income between jobs.
- On the contrary: As earnings and demand have decreased on delivery platforms post-pandemic, it has become harder for some couriers to work DoorDash full time.
Lyft Releases Its 2024 Commuting Report
SOURCE – YouTube Shorts
Lyft released a new report about the best cities for commuters. The rideshare company analyzed data across millions of Lyft rides, as well as public data sources. The rideshare company found Columbus, OH as one of the best overall markets for commuters, with an overall score of 84.5 out of 100. Followed by El Paso, TX, Las Vegas, NV and Memphis, TN.
- Columbus has the fastest commutes in the U.S. at around 22 minutes. Memphis ranks highest for the cheapest commute.
- Boston is a prime market for rideshare, and this could be the reason why: 13% of commuters in Boston walk to work, which overperforms the national average. It is also a market with the fewest number of commuter drivers.
QUICK HITS
- Uber will begin offering Waymo vehicles in Austin and Atlanta. – WSJ
- Lyft CEO David Risher believes the company is past its initial turnaround phase, and hopes investors take notice. – YAHOO FINANCE
- In Colorado, a group of rideshare drivers launched Co-Op Colorado, with fair wages and working conditions for drivers. – WESTWORD
Must Listen Or Watch RSG Content
Here are this week’s featured podcast episode and YouTube videos:
- RSG261: EV Fleet Charging With Bluedot – Martin Hamedani
- Are We All Addicted To Uber/Lyft Driving?
- Uber Bundling Shared Trips Like Uber Eats Stacked Orders?
- Can You Make $2000 In A Week Driving Uber And Lyft??
- The Rideshare Guy en Español
- Make sure you Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future conversations and interviews!
